Sociologist Kurt Lewin developed a 'force field analysis' model (1951) which describes any current level of performance or being as a state of equilibrium between the driving forces that encourage upward movement and the restraining forces that discourage it. Essentially this means that a current equilibrium exists because the forces acting for change are balanced by the forces acting against change.

Both sets of forces are very real and need to be taken into account when dealing with change, or managing change, or reacting to change.

Forcefield Analysis

restraining forces (against change)

current equilibrium

driving forces (for change)

Increasing the driving forces is not enough for change, as the restraining forces remain in place, and as long as they remain in place it becomes harder to use the driving forces. An analogy is when you push against a spring; the more you push, the harder it becomes and as soon as you stop pushing the spring reverts to its previous position (after having sprung past that point). Therefore unless both the driving and restraining forces are balanced a kind of yo-yo effect results; a change and then a reversion back, and then a change, and then a reversion back, and then a change, et cetera, et cetera. It’s important to note that the restraining forces may not be conscious – i.e. they should not be regarded as being deliberate attempts to subvert change (although they may be).

Lewin suggested that change would be easier and longer lasting if the forces against change were reduced, rather than the forces for change being increased.

Lewin suggested that modifying the forces which maintain the status quo may be easier than increasing...